0:00 – 0:14
Hello and welcome to the DisAbility Rights Galaxy E-Newscast for November 22nd, 2013, I’m Madeleine Dagman.

• Those who are ill don’t necessarily have disabilities.
• The name seems to extend past just the earth. Alien disabilities?

0:15 – 0:25
A controversial proposal that would have allowed doctors to discuss organ donation with the families of patients with disabilities before they reached a decision to cease life support was rejected recently.

• The proposal being rejected stops doctors from being allowed to discuss organ donation with patients. But what if it’s the patient’s decision to want to donate?
• The reason proposals tend to be… proposals (a suggestion), because they are controversial. If the proposal wasn’t controversial it would have been agreed to by all and already implemented.
• The decision to cease life support may be for many reasons, such as suffering. By just saying “decision to cease life support,” sounds as pulling the plug is an easy decision.
• Not all families of patients always reach the decision to cease life support.

0:26 – 0:35

Many diability advocates were against the proposal, worrying that it would allow a hospital’s organ procurement staff to improperly influence end-of-life decision making.

• disability advocates – in support of disabilities?
• The end-of-life decision may be the patients or the families’ before the “influence” of the hospital’s organ procurement staff.
• Another option may not always be improperly influenced. Of course, this is a possibility, hence it being a “worry.”
• If they “were” against the proposal, are they “for” it now?

0:36 – 0:46

The rejection of the proposal is a particular victory for the disability advocacy group Not Dead Yet, which has spend the last two years campaigning against the proposal.

• The group is proud of the proposal rejection, however they may not see the view of the families, patients, and those who need organs. Such as, if the family did come to the decision to stop life support, organ donation could help others. If the patient is suffering, it could be the patients decision. Some may want to bring their unavoidable death to be able to help others.
• The name of the group shows that they appear to stand for life. The life of one could be a painful, but nope, he’s not dead yet, so this group will fight to keep him alive.
• Maybe instead of campaigning against the proposal, coming to an agreement or being for a better alternative other than being strictly against discussing organ donation.

0:47 – 0:59

Not Dead Yet stated that their stance against the rejected proposal was based on their belief that it violated longstanding ethical protections against potential pressure being placed on gravely ill people.

• This implies that the decision causes pressure to all gravely ill people.
• Disabilities and grave illnesses are different, however seem to be used interchangeably.
• Not Dead Yet protested based on THEIR belief. Not necessarily the thoughts of the families or patients.
• Although it may seem wrong to shorten the time those who are going to pass eventually, if the decision of organ donation is discussed, a greater outcome could occur. The one inevitable lost person may be able to save others.
• If Not Dead Yet supports those who are “disabilitied,” “gravely ill,” or “not dead yet,” do those who need an organ to survive longer classify?